How to Paint White Appliances Black

Updating the color of your appliance will lend a new appearance to the space.

A home's appliances — from the refrigerator to the washing machine — can start to look dated over the years from constant use; there may be scratches and discoloration across the painted surfaces. If you are on a limited budget, transforming the standard white appliance to an eye-catching black can renew the appearance of both the appliance and the space in which it resides. Careful preparation processes before applying the color will result in a successful painting project.

1

Choose a location for the painting project, such as an outdoor area away from wind gusts. Lay a drop cloth on the floor or ground.

2

Unplug the appliance from the wall outlet. Ask a friend to help you move the appliance onto position on the drop cloth, if desired.

3

Apply masking paper to any area of the appliance that does not require painting. Secure the paper to the appliance with masking tape.

4

Apply a degreasing cleaning agent against the appliance's surface. Scrub the entire area to be painted, using a scouring pad. Use an old toothbrush to access small crevices to ensure that the entire surface is clear of contaminants.

5

Sand the appliance's surface, using 400-grit sandpaper. Scrub the surface with the sandpaper in a circular motion.

6

Repeat Step 5 with 600-grit sandpaper. Do not sand the surface down to the metal layer; you should have a deglossed white surface after sanding the appliance.

7

Remove the dust from the appliance's surface with a vacuum.

8

Wipe the appliance's surface with a microfiber tack rag. This type of rag does not have any oil in it that can contaminate the appliance's surface.

9

Apply denatured alcohol to the surface, using a clean rag. Allow the alcohol to evaporate.

10

Spray the appliance's surface with even, up-and-down strokes. Allow each spray pass to overlap the last spray by one-third. Allow it to dry completely.

11

Repeat Step 11 until you have applied at least three coats of paint. Allow the paint to dry completely before moving the appliance back into the home. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for specific curing times.

12

Reverse Steps 2 and 3 to reinstall the appliance into the home.

Things You Will Need

Drop cloth

Masking paper

Masking tape

Degreasing cleaning agent

Scouring pad

Toothbrush

Sandpaper, 400-grit

Sandpaper, 600-grit

Vacuum

Microfiber tack rag

Denatured alcohol

Spray respirator

Black aerosol spray paint

Tips

Practice the paint spraying application on a large piece of cardboard before applying it to the appliance, if you have never painted before. Once you have an evenly painted piece of cardboard, you can begin to paint the appliance.

About the Author

Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. With an electronics degree and more than 10 years of experience, she applies her love of gadgets to the gardening world as she continues her education through college classes and gardening activities.